دانلود رایگان مقاله انگلیسی چشم انداز "شهر هوشمند" در کشورهای شورای همکاری خلیج فارس (GCC) - امرالد 2018

Abstract

Purpose – The study aims to underscore the initiatives taken by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in spearheading their drive towards creating ‘‘smart’’ cities. Design/methodology/approach – The study uses a qualitative approach by invoking documentary analysis supplemented by responses provided by 13 interviewees from public and private sector. Findings – All the six GCC countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates) are keen on building upon their infrastructure to push their ‘‘smart city’’ agenda which would go a long way in furthering the economic diversification objective of their region besides improving the quality of public services. Originality/value – Hitherto, research has been focused on appreciating the ‘‘smart city’’ initiatives of developed countries; this study seeks to build upon the literature on ‘‘smart cities’’ by contextualizing the research setting in the developing countries. Second, the study shows that with the ongoing oil prices crisis in the GCC, the ‘‘smart city’’ initiatives of the countries are conceived as possible avenues of economic diversification and competitiveness.

4. Conclusion

Our study shows that with the ongoing oil prices crisis and the increased impetus on economic diversification into non-hydrocarbon sectors, the GCC countries have been initiating plans of developing “smart cities” where digital tools and technologies are being liberally used for providing better public services and boosting trade and tourism in the region. Further, our study corroborates the assertion that the notion of “smart city” is catching up in the GCC, but in an “unevenly” manner with “different manifestations” (Wiig, 2015, p. 258). Conceding that participatory governance is important for improvising public services, our study shows that while deploying IT-led “smart city” initiatives, a roadmap should be clearly drawn to include the concerns of relevant stakeholders for ensuring sustainable results. All the interviewees averred the role of the private sector in boosting the “smart city” initiatives, for instance. Finally, it is commendable that the GCC region is spearheading its ICT initiatives to institute a digital economy which would open up new economic sectors and facilitate the economic diversification moves of the six countries. The key insights from the interviews are summarized in Table II.